[Restlessone]

I picked up my new to me 2014 Volt a week ago.

I had to make a trip to Maryland on Tuesday, about 600 miles each way. The trip went well till I to to the Baltimore area. I had the car in hold mode and was showing about 10 mile range remaining in the battery. There was an accident on I695 and I traveled about 10 miles in an hour and a half of start stop traffic.

After about an hour the car started making a really loud noise from the engine are. At first I thought it was a large transport truck beside me but it wasn't. After moving a few feet it would slowly stop and then when I stopped again it would happen again. It continued doing this till I was past the accident and then as I reached highway speed it went away and hasn't returned.

The engine has always been more noisy than I expected but this was very loud. Is this normal, any idea what is going on.

Thanks, Love the car by the way.

Gordon

 

[Loboc]

Sounds like a cooling fan is missing a blade or hitting something.

 

[Restlessone]

Good thought, I'll check in the morning. The fact that is cleared up is making me think it may be something to do with cooling.

Gordon

 

[RalphB]

I picked up my new to me 2014 Volt a week ago.

I had to make a trip to Maryland on Tuesday, about 600 miles each way. The trip went well till I to to the Baltimore area. I had the car in hold mode and was showing about 10 mile range remaining in the battery. There was an accident on I695 and I traveled about 10 miles in an hour and a half of start stop traffic.

After about an hour the car started making a really loud noise from the engine are. At first I thought it was a large transport truck beside me but it wasn't. After moving a few feet it would slowly stop and then when I stopped again it would happen again. It continued doing this till I was past the accident and then as I reached highway speed it went away and hasn't returned.

The engine has always been more noisy than I expected but this was very loud. Is this normal, any idea what is going on.

Thanks, Love the car by the way.

Gordon

In the 2014, when the ICE engages, it can be very loud. It is revving are pretty high rpms to recharge the battery. It is surprising at first, but you will get use to it.

 

[TSquare]

I had the same thing happen during a recent trip where I had to stop on the Interstate for an accident that completely blocked the road. While you are stopped or moving very slowly (even in Hold Mode) the ICE will stop. If you are stopped or slowly moving long enough you will use all of the battery including the buffer. When the buffer is gone the ICE will run (hard) to rebuild it.
Ironically, while I was stopped on the interstate, I mentioned to my passengers about all these other cars sitting here burning gas to keep their A/C running, then my engine started to rebuild the battery, but mine only ran for a few minutes then shut off again.

 

[llninja]

The volt ICe has a mind of its own. It doesn't always run in sync with your moving speed. Remember, it's not really attached to the wheels like a regular car. It turns a generator which charges a battery which turns the electric motor. So you could be coasting to a stop with no ICE running, then while stopped it decides to run at high RPM.

 

[Restlessone]

I think I understand the battery engine relationship. I drive a lot and bought the volt because I thinks it's really a cool car. As a result I've heard (felt) the engine start and stop multiple times and this was much noisier than ever heard before.

It had something to do with the stop and go traffic I'm sure but it sounded terrible. It may be normal but I just don't know and am concerned. It sounded like a transport next to you or maybe like you have all four tires on the rumble strips.

Does the engine always run at a constant speed or can it suddenly go to reall high revs. Wish it had a tach.

Gordon

 

[jbakerjonathan]

I think I understand the battery engine relationship. I drive a lot and bought the volt because I thinks it's really a cool car. As a result I've heard (felt) the engine start and stop multiple times and this was much noisier than ever heard before.

It had something to do with the stop and go traffic I'm sure but it sounded terrible. It may be normal but I just don't know and am concerned. It sounded like a transport next to you or maybe like you have all four tires on the rumble strips.

Does the engine always run at a constant speed or can it suddenly go to reall high revs. Wish it had a tach.

Gordon

Hey Gordon, I think that what you experienced was the ICE revving to quickly regenerate electrons for a depleted battery. I believe that long intervals of very slow stop and go will allow the battery to be depleted. Then, the software says make haste in generating electrons to replenish the battery. Normal action.